McGill is proud to participate in Campus Sustainability Month this October. This annual event, hosted by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), celebrates higher education sustainability achievements while raising awareness of the value of sustainability in higher education.
“Campus Sustainability Month is an opportunity for the higher education community to generate enthusiasm and build momentum for implementing sustainability solutions throughout the year,” said Meghan Fay Zahniser, executive director, the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
Throughout the month, the Office of Sustainability and other groups will have many ways for members of the McGill community to get involved. Keep reading to learn how you can celebrate.
Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE) 2021
McGill is once again a host institution for the Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education (GCSHE), an annual event from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
This three-day event will deliver live interactive sessions, inspiring keynote presenters, and engaging networking opportunities for innovative professionals and campus change agents. For a second year, the conference will be held virtually with sessions available for on-demand replay until December 31, 2021.
This year’s themes, motivated by the intensifying climate-related disasters, a global pandemic, and ongoing systemic racism, is “The future is…” The GCSHE will reflect on these struggles and invite participants to recommit themselves to the urgent work of building a future that is sustainable, equitable, and resilient.
“Our host institutions truly champion sustainability advancements in higher education. We are grateful to work with these select colleges and universities that directly contribute to the success of the conference and the sustainability movement as a whole,” said Zahniser.
As a host institution, 200 McGill students, staff or faculty members may register to attend virtually for free, gaining access to the live interactive sessions, inspiring keynote presenters, and engaging networking opportunities for innovative professionals and campus change agents.
Find more details and learn how to register for free here.
Student Workshop Series
Are you a student looking to learn more about what’s happening on the ground at McGill? Throughout October, join the Office of Sustainability and Skills21 in a workshop series teaching you all you need to know about sustainability on our campuses.
As a bonus, students who participate in at least two workshops through Skills21 can also receive recognition on their Co-Curricular Record.
October 6: McGill’s Climate & Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025
This session will dive into McGill’s three long-term targets, as well short-term goals set to be achieved in the next five years. Participants will also learn about the consultation process that informed the content of the strategy, as well as key monitoring and implementation tools.
October 20: Climate Action at McGill
This workshop gives an overview of the initiatives that McGill is taking to address climate related issues. It will review the context for undertaking such actions, present the ways in which greenhouse gas emissions are being recorded, highlight the main action areas that are being focused on to reduce emissions, and showcase the different ways students can get involved in helping the University achieve its carbon footprint reduction ambition.
October 27: Leading Sustainable Projects at McGill
In this one-hour workshop, participants will learn basic tools to start their own sustainability initiatives, with the support of the Sustainability Projects Fund (SPF).
Get involved and win!
All month long, the Office of Sustainability will have new ways for you to get involved, from campus sustainability scavenger hunts to a post-conference debrief.
Learn more about the ways you can win during Campus Sustainability Month by following the Office of Sustainability on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @sustainmcgill.